Pain also can be felt in the involved tendon attachment or in a structure compensating for functional changes due to scar tissue. Pain – Nociceptors (pain nerve endings) have been found in scar tissue, so the scar tissue itself can be painful. Pain or a Malpositioned joint can also limit strength. Fewer muscle fibers working simply mean less strength can be produced. Bound muscles have less functional muscle available to work. If the quadriceps shorten at their normal speed, but scar tissue in the hamstrings slows down their lengthening time, a tear can result.ĭecreased Strength – Scar tissue acts like glue binding up muscles. The quadriceps (front of your thigh) must shorten and the hamstrings (back of your thigh) must lengthen. Since muscles need to work together with precise contraction times, big problems result. Since it doesn’t lengthen like normal muscle, areas with scar tissue may have Limited range of motion and an Altered joint axis of rotation.ĭelayed Lengthening Speed – A muscle with scar tissue may still reach full length, but the time needed to achieve this may increase. These cells begin lying down scar tissue and over time, scar tissue begins affecting surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.ĭecreased Muscle Length – Scar tissue does not have the same flexibility and elasticity as healthy muscle. Unfortunately, Free Radicals attract cells that produce scar tissue. Hypoxia leads to free radical accumulation in muscles.

A reduced blood flow means less oxygen and that means hypoxia. A healthy blood flow is so important because blood carries oxygen to muscles. When muscle tension is increased, blood supply to the area is reduced. Poor posture, athletic pursuits, repeated use, and sustained pressure (as in Sitting!) all increase muscle tension and result in hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia is more common than one may think. The second, more common way for scar tissue to form is by soft tissue in the body not receiving enough oxygen ( Hypoxia). This is a necessary part of the healing process. First, if a muscle, tendon, or ligament is torn or crushed, the body creates scar tissue to ‘Glue’ the torn pieces together. All these problems can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become Shorter and Weaker.

Scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. This dense, fibrous tissue affects us all and is an underlying factor in many injuries. The words are different, but the concepts are the same.

Scared look over the shoulder